Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1706. He was a philosopher, scientist, inventor, musician, statesman and economist, among other things. He moved to liberal Philadelphia in his twenties and started writing poetry, although he never considered himself to be a poet. Franklin was an important statesman, signing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, as well as negotiating treaties with other countries. He died in Philadelphia in 1790, and thousands of mourners turned out for his funeral. more »

Death Is A Fisherman

Death is a fisherman, the world we see His fish-pond is, and we the fishes be; His net some general sickness; howe'er he Is not so kind as other fishers be; For if they take one of the smaller fry, They throw him in again, he shall not die: But death is sure to kill all he can get, And all is fish with him that comes to net.